ANTI-THEFT DEVICE FOR VEHICLES

Abstract: There is described an anti-theft device for attachment to a steering wheel of a vehicle of the type comprising a rim which is connected to a hub by means of at least one spoke, the anti-theft device comprising a body portion adapted for releasable and lockable engagement with the steering wheel, the body portion including abutment means arranged to engage the rim of the steering wheel on circumferentially opposite sides of the spoke so as to prevent circumferential movement of the body portion with respect to the steering wheel; means for adjusting the spacing between said abutment means so as to accommodate spokes of differing circumferential dimensions; and arm means extending outwardly from the body portion and adapted to inhibit rotation of the steering wheel by engagement with an interior surface of the vehicle. There is also described an anti-theft device for attachment to the steering wheel of a vehicle of the type comprising a rim which is connected to a hub by means of at least one spoke, the anti-theft device comprising a body portion adapted for releasable and lockable engagement with the steering wheel and arranged to at least partially overlie the spoke and extend inwardly from the rim at least as far as the hub, the body portion including abutment means arranged to engage the rim of steering wheel on circumferentially opposite sides of the spoke so as to prevent circumferential movement of the body portion with respect to the steering wheel; and arm means extending outwardly from the body portion and adapted to inhibit rotation of the steering wheel by engagement with an interior surface of the vehicle. There is also described an anti-theft device for attachment to the steering wheel of a vehicle of the type comprising a rim which is connected to a hub by means of at least one spoke, the anti-theft device comprising a body portion adapted to at least partially overlie the spoke, the body portion including abutment means arranged to engage the rim of the steering wheel on circumferentially opposite sides of the spoke so as to prevent circumferential movement of the body portion with respect to the steering wheel; arm means extending outwardly from the body portion and adapted to inhibit rotation of the steering wheel by engagement with an interior surface of the vehicle; engagement means mounted on either the body portion or on said arm means and movable between a first position in which the engagement means is in close proximity to a surface of the spoke opposed to that overlain by the body portion and a second position in which it is not; and means for releasably locking said engagement means with respect to the body portion or said arm means in a selected one of a plurality of positions.

Description: ANTI-THEFT DEVICE FOR VEHICLES The present invention relates to an anti-theft device for vehicles and in particular relates to a device for attachment to a steering wheel of a vehicle to inhibit rotation. Anti-theft devices for attachment to the steering wheel of a vehicle are known from the prior art. Typically, such devices comprise an arm which extends outwardly beyond the periphery of the steering wheel so that rotation of the steering wheel is inhibited by the engagement of the arm with either the interior surfaces of the vehicle or the driver. Often however, the anti-theft devices of the prior art are adapted to be attached to the steering wheel at one point on the rim. This, of course, provides the devices with a degree of universality but at the same time means that the would-be car thief need only cut the rim of the steering wheel at a point adjacent that at which the anti-theft device is attached to be able to slide the device off the wheel. Somewhat alarmingly, this method of circumventing prior art steering wheel locks is becoming increasingly wide spread, particularly as the only equipment that is required is a pair of bolt cutters and, if the stolen vehicle is to be resold, a replacement steering wheel which can be exchanged for the cut steering wheel at a later date. In an attempt to overcome this problem some prior art anti-theft devices have been designed to be attached to the rim of the steering wheel in such a way as to partially enclose one of the spokes by which the rim is connected to the steering column. Examples of such devices are found in US patent numbers 4,444,030 and 4,829,797. The problem with these devices however, is that because of the enormous variety in the design of steering wheels from one vehicle to the next, their usefulness is severely limited. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a substantially universal anti-theft device for attachment to the rim of a steering wheel such that the device engages the rim on opposite sides of at least one of the spokes by which the rim is connected to the steering column. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an anti-theft device for attachment to a steering wheel of a vehicle of the type comprising a rim which is connected to a hub by means of at least one spoke, the anti-theft device comprising a body portion adapted for releasable and lockable engagement with the steering wheel, the body portion including abutment means arranged to engage the rim of the steering wheel on circumferentially opposite sides of the spoke so as to prevent circumferential movement of the body portion with respect to the steering wheel; means for adjusting the spacing between said abutment means so as to accommodate spokes of differing circumferential dimensions; and arm means extending outwardly from the body portion and adapted to inhibit rotation of the steering wheel by engagement with an interior surface of the vehicle. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an anti-theft device for attachment to the steering wheel of a vehicle of the type comprising a rim which is connected to a hub by means of at least one spoke, the anti-theft device comprising a body portion adapted for releasable and lockable engagement with the steering wheel and arranged to at least partially overlie the spoke and extend inwardly from the rim at least as far as the hub, the body portion including abutment means arranged to engage the rim of the steering wheel on circumferentially opposite sides of the spoke so as to prevent circumferentail movement of the body portion with respect to the steering wheel; and arm means extending outwardly from the body portion and adapted to inhibit rotation of the steering wheel by engagement with an interior surface of the vehicle. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an anti-theft device for attachment to the steering wheel of a vehicle of the type comprising a rim which is connected to a hub by means of at least one spoke, the anti-theft device comprising a body portion adapted to at least partially overlie the spoke, the body portion including abutment means arranged to engage the rim of the steering wheel on circumferentially opposite sides of the spoke so as to prevent circumferential movement of the body portion with respect to the steering wheel; arm means extending outwardly from the body portion and adapted to inhibit rotation of the steering wheel by engagement with an interior surface of the vehicle; engagement means mounted on either the body portion or said arm means and movable between a first position in which the engagement means is in close proximity to a surface of the spoke opposed to that overlain by the body portion and a second position in which it is not; and means for releasably locking said engagement means with respect to the body portion or said arm means in a selected one of a plurality of positions. Advantageously said engagement means may include a sleeve mounted for slidable movement along said arm means and a member carried by the sleeve, said member being selectively movable into and out of engagement with one or more formations provided on said arm means so as to respectively prevent and enable further movement of the engagement means with respect to said arm means. Advantageously said abutment means may include at least one rim engaging portion which is movable in a circumferential direction with respect to the body portion and means for releaseably securing said rim engaging portion with respect to the body portion in a selected one of a plurality of positions. Preferably, said means for releaseably securing said rim engaging portion may be located such that, in use, access thereto is inhibited. Preferably, said at least one rim engaging portion may include an arcuate member which is slidably received within an acruate through bore provided on said body portion. Advantageously the body portion may be adapted to lie in close proximity to the hub of the steering wheel when in use so as to inhibit access thereto. Advantageously the body portion may be adapted to bear against the hub of the steering wheel when in use so as to inhibit access thereto. Advantageously the anti-theft device may comprise one or more additional abutment means that, in use, engage further surfaces of the rim, spoke or hub of the steering wheel. Advantageously the anti-theft device may comprise means for permitting longitudinal movement of said arm means with respect to the body portion. A number of enbodi ents of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the body portion of an anti-theft device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the body portion of Figure 1 turned through 180°; Figure 3 is a perspective view of an adjustable grip for use with an anti-theft device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the adjustable grip of Figure 3 in engagement with the body portion of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a sleeve for use with an anti-theft device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the locking arrangement operative between the sleeve of Figure 5 and an elongate arm of an anti-theft device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figures 7a and 7b are perspective views of a variety of engagement plates with which an anti-theft device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention may be provided; Figures 8a to 8c are perspective views of a variety of abutment plates with which an anti-theft device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention may be provided; Figure 9 is perspective view of an assembled anti-theft device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 is an elevational view of the anti-theft device of Figure 9 when attached to the steering wheel of a vehicle; Figure 11 is a perspective view of an anti-theft device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 is a perspective view of an anti-theft device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 13 is a perspective view of an anti-theft device in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 14 is a perspective view of an adjustable grip in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; Figure 15 is a perspective view of an adjustable grip provided at an end of a rectilinear arm in accordance with yet a further embodiment of the present invention; Figure 16 is a perspective view of an adjustable grip provided at an end of a telescopically adjustable arm in accordance with still a further embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 1, the anti-theft device 10 can be seen to comprise a substantially planer body portion 12, in part defined by side edges 11 and 13, and which is provided at one end 14 with two oppositely directed, laterally extending side lobes 16 and 18. At an end 20 remote from the side lobes 16 and 18, the body portion 12 terminates in an arcuate end surface 22 from which there projects an upstanding arcuate end wall 24. The arcuate end wall 24 defines an arcuate through bore 26 of substantially rectangular cross-section, the longer sides of which extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the body portion 12 and thus substantially parallel to the end wall 24. An elongate arm 28 is mounted on an upstanding surface 30 of the arcuate end wall 24 by means of a boss 32 and extends outwardly from the body portion 13 whilst at the same time being inclined to the plane thereof. A plurality of blind bores 33, each extending in a dirction generally transversely of the arm 28 are provided at regularly spaced intervals along its length. In addition to the arcuate end wall 24, the body portion 12 is also provided at one of the side edges 11 with an upstanding housing 34 which extends substantially parallel to the side edge and which includes at an end 38 proximate the arcuate end all a laterally directed, arcuate projection 36. The housing 34 defines a bore 40 which is closed at the end 38 proximate the arcuate end wall 24, the bore being of substantially rectrangular-cross-section and having longer sides which extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the body portion 12. Turning to Figure 2, the body portion 12 can be seen to be provided on a surface 42 opposed to that shown uppermost in Figure 1 with a projecting formation 44 close to the arcuate end surface 22. The projecting formation 44 defines a second arcuate through bore 46, again of rectangular cross-section, although this time the two longer sides extend in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the body portion 12. In addition to the body portion 12, the anti-theft device 10 also comprises an adjustable grip 48 which is illustrated in Figure 3. As can be seen, the adjustable grip 48 comprises an inverted, substantially U-shaped member 50 defined by two depending legs 52 and 54 and interconnected by a cross-piece 56. A first arcuate blade portion 58 extends from the cross piece in a plane substantially perpendicular to that defined by the U-shaped member 50 while a second arcuate blade portion 60, having a similar radius of curvature to the first, extends from the radially outer of the two legs 52. Both arcuate blade portions 58 and 60 are of substantially rectangular cross-section and so, in cross-section, define respective pairs of longer sides 62 and 64. As can be seen from Figure 3 however, these two pairs of longer sides 62 and 64 extend in mutually orthogonal planes with the longer side of the second blade portion 60 extending in a direction generally parallel to the depending legs 52 and 54. A plurality of regularly spaced apertures 66 are provided along the centre line of both of the blade portions 58 and 60 while a second arcuate projection 68 terminating in a radially inwardly directed flange 70 is provided on the radially inner of the two legs 54. As can be seen from Figure 4, the adjustable grip 48 is sized so as to engage the body portion 12 in such a way that the first arcuate blade portion 58 is slidably received within the second arcuate through bore 46 while the second arcuate blade portion 60 is slidably received within the first arcuate through bore 26. As a result the U-shaped member 50 may be moved relative to the body portion 12 between a first position defined by the arcuate extent of the first and second blade portions 58 and 60 and a second position in which the U-shaped member abuts the side edge of the body portion 13. In order to secure the adjustable grip 48 with respect to the body portion 12 in a position between these two extremes a grub screw 72 is provided within an appropriately threaded aperture 74 located in a region of the body portion close to the arcuate end wall 24. Upon rotation of the grub screw 72, the grub screw is caused to project from the threaded aperture 74 and engage one of the apertures 66 provided in the first arcuate blade portion 58. For added security a second grub screw 76 may be provided within a second appropriately threaded aperture 78 formed in the arcuate end wall 24 so that, upon rotation, the second grub screw engages one of the apertures 66 provided in the second arcuate blade portion 60. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that in order to provide an increased number of positions in which the adjustable grip 48 may be secured with respect to the body portion 12, the series of apertures 66 provided in the two arcuate blade portions 58 and 60 may be off set relative to each other so that in any one position only one of the two grub screws 72 or 76 is capable of engaging a respective one of the apertures. Alternatively, the body portion 12 and/or the arcuate end wall 24 may be provided with one or more further grub screws, each of which are spaced apart by an amount which differs from that by which the apertures 66 are spaced. A further integer of the anti-theft device 10 is shown in Figure 5, to comprise a-sleeve 80 which, in use, is slidably received by the elongate arm 28 of the body portion 12 and is thus provided with a through bore 82 having a cross-section complementary to that of the arm. In a currently preferred embodiment, the sleeve 80 is provided with a rib 84 which extends the length of the through bore 82 and which engages a longitudinal groove 86 provided in a surface of the elongate arm 28. In this way the relative movement permitted between the sleeve 80 and the arm 28 is limited to a rectilinear sliding motion between a first position defined by the engagement of the rib 84 with a distal end of the longitudinal groove 86 and a second position in which a proximal end of the sleeve 88 abutts the boss 32 provided on the arcuate end wall 24. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that in certain embodiments the rib 84 and groove 86 may be omitted. Their provision is however, a preferred feature since in this way the sleeve 80 may be prevented from sliding off the arm 28. At the proximal end 88 the sleeve 80 is provided with an upstanding member 90 that projects outwardly from the through bore 82 substantially in the same direction as does the arcuate end wall 24 from the body portion 12. The upstanding member 90 is joined at an end remote from the sleeve 80 with an elongate member 92 of generally square cross-section which extends in a direction substantially parallel to the through bore 82 and which thus forms with the upstanding member 90 a generally L-shaped extension to the sleeve 80. By contrast, the distal end of the sleeve 80 is provided with a tubular hand grip 94. Between the hand grip 94 and the generally L-shaped extension piece 90, 92, the sleeve 80 is provided with a housing 96 containing means for releaseably engaging a selected one of the plurality of blind bores 33 provided in the arm 28. Thus within the housing 96, which is shown in schematic cross-section in Figure 6, there is provided a bolt 98 which is guided for a reciprocal movement between a first position in which the bolt is received within a selected one of the plurality of blind bores 33 and a second position in which the bolt is withdrawn from the blind bore and received entirely within the housing. The bolt 98 is guided in this movement by a finger 100 which is adapted for pivotable movement about an axis 102 extending transversely of the arm 28, the bolt being pivotedly connected to an end of the finger remote from the axis by the engagement of a transverse pin 104 within a longitudinal slot 106 which is provided within the finger for that purpose. The finger 100 is pivoted between the position shown in phantom in Figure 6 and that shown in full by the operation of a key within a keyway 108. By withdrawing the key from the keyway 108, the finger 100, and with it the bolt 98, may be locked in either of the first or second positions referred to above. Within the housing 96 and adjacent the bolt 98 and finger 100, there is also provided a sub-assembly 110 containing a ball 112 of sufficient diameter to engage the mouth portion of a selected one of the plurality of blind bores 33 while at the same time being too large to be fully received thereby. A spring 114 is interposed between the ball 112 and the sub-assembly 110 to urge the ball against the arm 28. Thus, as the sleeve 80 is slid along the arm 28, the ball 112 engages the mouth portion of successive of the blind bores 33 and so imparts to the sliding movement an incremental stop-start motion that can be felt by a user. The ball and sub-assembly 112, 110 are spaced from the bolt 98 by a distance equal to the spacing between an integral number of successive blind bores 33. In this way, when the ball 112 is in engagement with a mouth portion of one of the blind bores 33, and as such provides a slight resistance to the continued movement of the sleeve 80 along the arm 28, the user may be assured that the bolt 98 is in alignment with another of the blind bores. Once in this position the key may be inserted into the keyway 108 and rotated so as to pivot the finger 100 about the axis 102 and cause the bolt 98 to be received within the aligned blind bore 33. Clearly, if the key is then withdrawn from the keyway 108, the sleeve 80 is locked in position and prevented from further movement along the arm 28. The final integers of the anti-theft device 10 are shown in Figures 7a-b and Figures 8a-c. Figures 7a and 7b show two of a variety of engagement plates 116 with which the anti-theft device 10 may be provided. Each engagement plate 116 comprises a socket section 118 defining a blind bore 120 of substantially square cross-section as well as two mutually inclined proximal and distal blade portions 122 and 124. In each case the socket section 118 is adapted to engage the generally L-shaped extension piece 90, 92 in one of two orientations spaced by 180 . To this end the blind bore 120 is shaped so as to receive an end of the elongate member 92 remote from the upstanding member 90 while the socket section itself 118 is provided with one or more apertures 126 which communicate with the blind bore 120 and provide for the passage of suitable fasteners 128 to secure the engagement plate 116 with respect to the sleeve 80. By providing a variety of engagement plates 116, each of which differs from the next in terms of the angle subtended by the proximal and distal blade portions 122 and 124, and by so adapting the engagement plates that each may be secured to the sleeve 80 in a respective one of two possible orientations spaced by 180 , it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that an engagement plate may be chosen and secured to the sleeve in such a way that the distal blade portion lies in a plane that is inclined to that of the body portion 12 in any one of a predetermined range of angles. By constrast. Figures 8a to 8c show three of a variety of abutment plates 130, each of which is adapted by the provision of a slit 131 to be partially received within the bore 40 of the upstanding housing 34. Each abutment plate 30 may be considered as falling within one of two categories in one of which the abutment plate is substantially planer as shown in Figure 8a, while in the other the abutment plate comprises two mutually inclined proximal and distal portions 132 and 134 as shown in Figures 8b and 8c. In either event, a selective one of the abutment plates 130 may be secured within the housing 34 by means of a threaded bolt 136 which passes through a correspondingly threaded aperture provided in the end of the housing 38 proximate the arcuate end wall 24 and engages a correspondingly threaded aperture 140 provided in the abutment plate. Although in general the abutment plates 130 are adapted to project outwardly from the bore 40, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that with this method of attachment the selected abutment plate may be caused to project from the housing 34 to a greater or lesser extent by rotating the threaded bolt 136 in an appropriate direction. The abutment plates 130 falling within the second category are preferably configured so that the proximal and distal portions 132 and 134 are of different longitudinal extents. In this way, the abutment plates 130 may be adapted, by the provision of a second slit 131 and a second threaded aperture 140, to be reversable end-on-end thereby enabling which ever portion of the abutment plate is furthest from the housing 34 to be secured in a greater number of positions with respect to the body portion 12. In use a selected one of the abutment plates 130 is secured within housing 34 by the engagement of the threaded bolt 136 within the threaded aperture 140. This is only possible before the anti-theft device 10 is placed in engagement with a steering wheel as thereafter access to the threaded bolt 136 is prevented by both the steering wheel rim and the second arcuate blade portion 60. Once the appropriate abutment plate 130 has been secured within the housing 34, the-sleeve 80 is slid along the arm 28 in a direction away from the arcuate end wall 24 and the boss 32. With the sleeve 80 in this position, a selected one of the engagement plates 116 is secured to the generally L-shaped extension piece 90, 92 by passing a suitable fastener 128 through one of the apertures 126 to engage with the elongate member 92. The fastener 128 is preferably introduced to the elongate member 92 through an aperture 126 in the surface of the socket section 118 that, in use, faces the arm 28. In this way, when the sleeve 80 is slid back towards the arcuate end wall 24, access to the fastener will be prevented by a spoke of the steering wheel and the body portion 12, both of which will overlie the engagement plate 116. With the sleeve 80 still at an end of the arm 28 remote from the arcuate end wall 24, the adjustable grip 48 is introduced to the body portion 12 in such a way that the first arcuate blade portion 58 is slidably received within the second arcuate through bore 46 and the second arcuate blade portion 60 is slidably received within the first arcuate through bore 26. Whilst maintaining the U-shaped member 50 in a position as far from the body portion 12 as is allowed by the arcuate extent of the first and second blade portions 58 and 60, the anti-theft device 10 is then introduced to the steering wheel of the vehicle to be protected. In introducing the anti-theft device to the steering wheel the body portion 12 is caused to overlie a spoke of the steering wheel while the arcuate end wall 24 is placed in abutting relationship with an outer circumferential surface of the rim. At the same time the arcuate projection 36 provided on the upstanding housing 34 is caused to abut an inner circumferential surface of the steering wheel rim while the proximal and distal portions 132 and 134 of the abutment plate 130 respectively overlie an upper surface of the spoke and the central hub by which the steering wheel is connected to the steering column. Having introduced the anti-theft device 10 to the steering wheel, the adjustable grip 48 is slid with respect to the body portion 12 until such time as the arcuate projection 68 provided on the radially inner of the two legs of the U-shaped member 54 abuts the intersection between an under surface of the spoke and the rim. Holding the adjustable grip 48 with respect to the body portion 12, the anti-theft device 10 is then removed from the steering wheel so that the adjustable grip may be secured to the body portion in this position by the engagement of one or both of the grub screws 72 and 76 in an appropriate aperture 66 in a respective one of the first and second blade portions 58 and 60. As with the threaded bolt 136 and the suitable fastener 128, once the anti-theft device 10 has been re-introduced to the steering wheel, access to either of the grub screws 72 and 76 will no longer be possible. In this case access to the grub screws 72 and 76 will be prevented by the steering wheel spoke and the engagement plate 116, both of which will overlie the body portion 12. With the adjustable grip 48 secured in position with respect to the body portion 12, the anti-theft device is re-introduced to the steering wheel in the same position as before. The sleeve 80 is then slid along the arm 28 back towards the arcuate end wall 24 until such time as the distal blade portion 124 of the engagement plate 116 abuts a rear surface of the steering wheel spoke. An appropriate key is then inserted into the keyway 108 and rotated so as to pivot the finger 100 about axis 102 and cause the bolt 98 to be received within an appropriate one of the blind bores 33. With the sleeve 80 locked in position with respect to the arm 28, the key is withdrawn from the keyway 108 leaving the anti-theft device 10 in engagement with the steering wheel. With the anti-theft device 10 in this position, rotation of the steering wheel is clearly inhibited by the engagement of the arm 28 with the interior surfaces of the vehicle or the driver in the usual way. However, the anti-theft device 10 described also exhibits a combination of advantages not found among the anti-theft devices of the prior art. Firstly, when in use, the anti-theft device 10 engages the rim of the steering wheel on either side of one of the spokes by which that rim is connected to the central hub. This means that it is not possible for the would-be car thief to cut the rim at a suitable point and simply slide off the anti-theft device 10. Secondly, the anti-theft device 10 is adapted to substantially surround the spoke thereby preventing the would-be car thief from being able to saw through the spoke and remove the anti-theft device that way. Thirdly, in contrast to the anti-theft devices of US patent nos. 4,444,030 and 4,829,797, the present anti-theft device 10 surrounds the entire length of the spoke from the rim to the central hub. This again prevents the would-be car thief from being able to saw through the spoke. Fourthly, the anti-theft device 10 is capable of attachment to a wide variety of designs of steering wheel. This universality of application is derived not only as a result of the plurality of positions in which the adjustable grip 48 may be secured with respect to the body portion 12 but also as a result of the variety and configuration of the engagement and abutment plates 116 and 130 with which the anti-theft device 10 may be provided. Fifthly, because the elongate arm 28 is inclined to the plane of the body portion 12, the end of the body portion 14 remote from the arcuate end wall 24 bears against the central hub. This in turn prevents the would-be car thief from gaining access to the central nut by which the hub is typically secured to the steering column and so prevents the wholesale removal of the steering wheel. Additional protection in this regard is provided by the oppositely directed, laterally extending side lobes 16 and 18. In order to remove the anti-theft device 10 from the steering wheel the key is re-inserted into the keyway 108 and rotated so as to pivot the finger 100 about axis 102 and cause the bolt 98 to be withdrawn from the blind bore 33 in which it had previously been received. Once the bolt 98 is entirely received within the housing 96, the sleeve 80 may be slid along the arm 28 in a direction away from the arcuate end wall 24 thereby freeing the distal blade portion 124 of the engagement plate 116 from its abutting relationship with the rear surface of the steering wheel spoke. With the sleeve 80 at an end of the arm 28 remote from the arcuate end wall 24 and the engagement plate 116 no longer in contact with the spoke, the anti-theft device may be simply lifted away from the steering wheel and stored for future use. Although the process of attachment of the anti-theft device 10 has been described as including the steps of securing a selected one of the abutment plates 130 within the housing 34, securing a selected one of the engagement plates 116 to the generally L-shaped extension piece 90, 92 and securing the adjustable grip 48 with respect to the body portion 12 in one of a series of predetermined positions, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these steps need not necessarily be repeated each time the anti-theft device is attached to the same steering wheel. Instead, once the anti-theft device 10 has been adapted for attachment to a particular steering wheel, the actual process of attachment may constitute no more than the reverse of the process for removing the anti-theft device described above. Likewise, although the engagement plate 116 has been described as being selected from a variety of different configurations, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a single design of engagement plate could be used in which, rather than comprising proximal and distal blade portions 122 and 124, the engagement plate comprises an arcuate blade that curves outwardly away from the sleeve 80 at an end remote from the elongate member 92. Such a design is shown in Figure 11 and is capable, when in use, of abutting the rear surface of a wide variety of steering wheel spokes. Clearly, where only one design of engagement plate is contemplated, the engagement plate may be formed integrally both with the sleeve 80 and the L-shaped extension piece 90, 92. Similarly, although the abutment plate 130 has been described as being selected from a variety of different configurations, it will again be apparent to those skilled in the art that a single design of abutment plate could be used. One such design is shown in Figure 11 to comprise an arcuate plate which curves outwardly away from the body portion 12 at an end remote from the housing 34. As before, such a design is capable, when in use, of abutting the upper surface of a wide variety of steering wheel spokes. Likewise, where only one design of abutment plate is contemplated, the abutment plate may be formed integrally both with the housing 34 and the body portion 12. Alternatively, the abutment plate 130 may be omitted altogether since the combination of the body portion 12 and the engagement plate 116 alone constitute an effective deterrent against the cutting of the spoke by a would-be car thief. Although the elongate arm 28 has been described as mounted on the arcuate end wall 24 by means of a boss 32, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this need not necessarily be the case. In one particular embodiment, the proximal end of the elongate arm 28 may be provided with a threaded region 142 capable of engaging a threaded opening 144 in the arcuate erd wall 24. Clearly the arm 28 would need to be secured against removal from the threaded opening 144, but such an arrangement would permit the arm a little longitudinal movement with respect to the body portion 12. This in turn would enable the anti-theft device 10 to be adjusted so that when the engagement plate 116 is moved into abutting relationship with a rear surface of the steering wheel spoke, there is blind bore 33 in alignment with the bolt 98 to enable the sleeve 80 to be locked in position with respect to the arm. An example of one such arrangement is shown in Figure 12. Also shown in Figure 12 is an alternative form of the adjustable grip 48. In this alternative form, the adjustable grip 48 comprises a perforated rod 146 having a downwardly extending end portion 148, the rod being mounted for both rotation and longitudinal sliding movement with respect to a boss 150. In use, the rod 146 is slid with respect to the boss 150 until the end portion 148 abuts the intersection between an under surface of the spoke and the rim. The rod 146 may then be secured in this position by the engagement within one of the perforations of the rod 152 of a pin carried by the boss 150. Another alternative shown in Figure 12 is the provision of an engagement plate 154 which, rather than being slid into position along the arm 28, is attached to the arm by means of a hinge 156 and pivoted into position. The engagement plate 154 can be secured in any one of a plurality of positions with respect to the arm 28 by the engagement of a suitable pin (not shown) with a perforated arcuate extension piece 158, the arcuate extension piece being attached to the engagement plate 154, and slidably received within a slot 160 provided in the arm 28. Another form of engagement plate is shown in Figure 13. In this embodiment the engagement plate 162 is again provided with a perforated extension piece 164, this time of rectilinear configuration, which is slidably received within a slot 166 provided in the arm 28. The engagement plate 162 is slidable both towards and away from the body portion 12 and may again be secured in any one of a plurality of positions with respect thereto by the engagement with the perforated extension piece 164 of a suitable pin (not shown) carried by the arm 28. Likewise, although the adjustable grip 48 has been described as comprising an inverted, substantially u-shaped member 50 defined by two depending legs 52 and 54 and interconnected by a cross-piece 56, this need not necessarily be the case. Instead the adjustable grip 48 may terminate in a fixture of the type shown in Figure 14. In this arrangement one of the two depending legs 54 is made longer than the other and formed integrally with a plate portion 168 which extends both towards the body portion 12 and perpendicularly to the legs 52 and 54 so as to overlie the mouth of the inverted, substantially u-shaped member 50. In this way, when in use, the plate portion 168 will abut a rear surface of the steering wheel spoke and an adjacent portion of the rim thereby preventing the adjustable grip 48 from being prized upwardly away from the steering wheel. This arrangement is of particular use in anti-theft devices for attachment to steering wheels having wider and/or softer spokes. In another arrangement shown in Figure 15 the adjustable grip 48 is provided at an end of a rectilinear arm 170 which is adapted for slideable movement with respect to the body portion 12 in order to accommodate spokes of differing circumferential dimensions. In yet another arrangement shown in Figure 16 the adjustable grip 48 is provided at an end of a telescopically adjustable arm 172 comprising first and second coaxial arm portions 174 and 176. The two arm portions 174 and 176 may be secured together so as to prevent further telescopic movement by means of a suitable grub screw (not shown) . In this way the overall length of the arm 172 may be adjusted so as to again accommodate spokes of differing circumferential dimensions.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An anti-theft device for attachment to a steering wheel of a vehicle of the type comprising a rim which is connected to a hub by means of at least one spoke, the anti-theft device comprising a body portion adapted for releasable and lockable engagement with the steering wheel, the body portion including abutment means arranged to engage the rim of the steering wheel on circumferentially opposite sides of the spoke so as to prevent circumferential movement of the body portion with respect to the steering wheel; means for adjusting the spacing between said abutment means so as to accommodate spokes of differing circumferential dimensions; and arm means extending outwardly from the body portion and adapted to inhibit rotation of the steering wheel by engagemnt with an interior surface of the vehicle. 2. An anti-theft device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the body portion is adapted to at least partially overlie the spoke and extend inwardly from the rim at least as far as the hub. 3. An anti-theft device for attachment to the steering wheel of a vehicle of the type comprising a rim which is connected to a hub by means of at least one spoke, the anti-theft device comprising a body portion adapted for releasable and lockable engagement with the steering wheel and arranged to at least partially overlie the spoke and extend inwardly from the rim at least as far as the hub, the body portion including abutment means arranged to engage the rim of steering wheel on circumferentially opposite sides of the spoke so as to prevent circumferential movement of the body portion with respect to the steering wheel; and arm means extending outwardly from the body portion and adapted to inhibit rotation of the steering wheel by engagement with an interior surface of the vehicle. 4. An anti-theft device in accordance with claim 3, wherein means is provided for adjusting the spacing between said abutment means so as to accommodate spokes of differing circumferential dimensions. 5. An anti-theft device in accordance with any of claims 2 to 4 and comprising engagement means mounted on either the body portion or said arm means and movable between a first position in which the engagement means is in close proximity to a surface of the spoke opposed to that overlain by the body portion and a second position in which it is not; and means for releasably locking said engagement means with respect to the body portion or said arm means in a selected one of a plurality of positions. 6. An anti-theft device for attachment to the steering wheel of a vehicle of the type comprising a rim which is connected to a hub by means of at least one spoke, the anti-theft device comprising a body portion adapted to at least partially overlie the spoke, the body portion including abutment means arranged to engage the rim of the steering wheel on circumferentially opposite sides of the spoke so as to prevent circumferential movement of the body portion with respect to the steering wheel; arm means extending outwardly from the body portion and adapted to inhibit rotation of the steering wheel by engagement with an interior surface of the vehicle; engagement means mounted on either the body portion or on said arm means and movable between a first position in which the engagement means is in close proximity to a surface of the spoke opposed to that overlain by the body portion and a second position in which it is not; and means for releasably locking said engagement means with respect to the body portion or said arm means in a selected one of a plurality of positions. 7. An anti-theft device in accordance with claim 6, wherein means is provided for adjusting the spacing between said abutment means so as to accommodate spokes of differing circumferential dimensions. 8. An anti-theft device in accordance with claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the body portion is adapted to extend inwardly from the rim at least as far as the hub. 9. An anti-theft device in accordance with any of claims 5 to 8, wherein said engagement means includes a sleeve mounted for slidable movement along said arm means and a member carried by the sleeve, said member being selectively movable into and out of engagement with one or more formations provided on said arm means so as to respectively prevent and enable further movement of the engagement means with respect to said arm means. 10. An anti-theft device in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein said abutment means includes at least one rim engaging portion which is movable in a circumferential direction with respect to the body portion and means for releasably securing said rim engaging portion with respect to the body portion in a selected one of a plurality of positions. 11. An anti-theft device in accordance with claim 10, wherein said means for releasably securing said rim engaging portion is located such that, in use, access thereto is inhibited. 12. An anti-theft device in accordance with claim 10 or claim 11, wherein said at least one rim engaging portion includes an arcuate member which is slidably received within an arcuate through bore provided on said body portion. 13. An anti-theft device in accordance with any of claims 10 to 12, wherein said at least one rim engaging portion includes a plate portion which, in use, is adapated to lie in close proximity to a surface of the spoke opposed to that overlain by the body portion. 14. An anti-theft device in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein, in use, the body portion is adapted to lie in close proximity to the hub of the steering wheel so as to inhibit access thereto. 15. An anti-theft device in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein, in use, the body portion is adapted to bear against the hub of the steering wheel so as to inhibit access thereto 16. An anti-theft device in accordance with any preceding claim and comprising one or more additional abutment means that in use engage further surfaces of the rim, spoke or hub of the steering wheel. 17. An anti-theft device in accordance with any preceding claim and comprising means for permitting longitudinal movement of said arm means with respect to the body portion. 18. An anti-theft device for attachment to a steering wheel of a vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: REDEMER PHILIP MATTHEW, REDEMER, PHILIP, MATTHEW
Applicants: REDEMER PHILIP MATTHEW, REDEMER, PHILIP, MATTHEW
Application year: 1994
Main classification: B60R25
IPC codes: B60R25